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Surprise: Maple Leafs really are good

Toronto is the NHL's early eye-opener, built with character, winning attitude and vastly improved goaltending. Craig Custance reports.

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Veteran defenseman Jeff Finger is back in the AHL for the first time in four years, playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs' primary affiliate for a pay rate that makes him the envy of his teammates.

And he is taking his demotion in stride, Canada's National Post reports. Even if it means he'll be carpooling to some road games or riding a bus to others.

"It's kind of like a new beginning," he said. "You just get a new energy to be able to play again. I could sit up in the press box for the rest of my career, or I could come down here and try to do something. So it's a positive. Bottom line is I want to play. I'm still making a good living, whether I was here or there. So that's not an issue. I just want to play."